Sunspots/freckles?

[Asa]

Hi all, new sphynx mom here!

We've had little Beerus (born April 17th) for over a month now and I've noticed some spots on his back and the top of his head. The spots are small, flat with the skin, not flaky or irritated. He doesn't scratch at them and they don't seem to bother him. They look like freckles. He loooves sleeping and laying in the sun along with standing in our windows, so am I right assuming these are from the sun exposure? We've been holding off on getting him more expensive sphynx clothes (he has a few small sweaters for when he gets cold) because he's growing like a weed. Yesterday we weighed in at 6 1/2lbs! That's almost double what he was when he came home with us. His breeder thinks he'll get to be 13lbs easily.

His skin care consists of weekly baths with Hylyte shampoo and exfoliating gloves along with a little coconut oil afterwards.

Also, any suggestions on how to make bathtime not a nightmare? He HATES it. We've tried playing in the bathroom, toys in the tub, treats, etc. But he still hates every second of it.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Asa , my adoptee had severe sunbathing pigmentation when I got him - confirmed by first owners vet.

I did not apply any lotions and used the Hylyt shampoo and exfoliating gloves for spa day like you do.
I placed the cat tree in the indirect sun window . Several members put up window tint .

It cleared up amazingly all on ots own in several months .
My Toby is similar color to Beerus - darker Sphynx seem to get here spots pig,station. My boy has ome 1/4 inch freckle and so,e teenie other ones here and there .

My 4 haaaate . Did I say hate spa day! I first had to wear a sweatshirt for spa day

I place everything out ready to go on the counter - even have Hylyt top open lol

I formally on the suggestion of a member got a stokkes flexibath - it is foldable and had a removable drain plug -
I place it pm the bathroom, counter on top of a towel , put a small towel on the bottom .
I put it over the sink with the drain plug out
A large water pitcher filled with a squirt of Hylyt and baby face clothes
Put on my exfolitsormg gloves , get kitty , close bathroom door
and spa dys we go! I gave up on a,Hong etc
Just get them in the stokkes flexi Bath amd get ER done-
No a,pint of play briefed or sweet talk works
I let the, st so om the edge protesting growlong wiggling -
Hold them on the shoulders smd use the pitcher , small cup amd baby face clothes to wash .
The towel on the bottom helos with traction and to Clem's their feet .
I use the dog drying towels I get at marshals dirt cheap.
Scoop them up in a towel , pat dry then treat when we are done.
You can make your own flexibath stokkes like dude with a Rubbermaid 10 gallon tote amd cut s hole carefully I'm the corner as a drain - I still have mine amd use it to sort spa day towels etc

Lol I got a wahl dog grooming plastic apron to keel me dry
I can now wear a tank top shorts and my wahl paw print apron and exfoliating gloves without needing a cost or armor for spa day -
Two will be be 8 yrs old next week so no hope of spa day loving kitties like I am jealous of all the cute spa day pics .

Hope this helps so,e
Reid I recently got s faucet spray nozzle at chewy online for the bathroom sink to try next spa day

Wow Beerus is going to be a big boy like mine - my two are tall and about 12 lbs
The stokkes flexi bath is purrfect for my spa day haters


Head smooches to big boy Beerus

 

[Yumi]

That does look like freckles or sun spots as far as I've seen them come across in topics.
Of course if you want to be 100% sure and on the save side you can always question your vet about it at the next visit.
Most vet's love to inform you if they know a little about the breed. (y)
In my opinion it actually looks super cute too. don't you just wanne kiss every freckle!

As for the bath time, I do not mean this in any wrong or mean way but do you know if your baby ever got bath training with the breeder?
And if he indeed got bath/water training with the breeder, was he grumpy about it too and what did the breeder do or how did the breeder handle it?
^- if they did not do bath training then it can be challenging to get your sphynx used to bath/water time.

My first instinct say a small (plastic) tub (or sink) could be less intimidating then a huge tub.
And put a towel on the bodem of that to avoid he'll slip or slide so he doesn't get a scare from that.
I also would try (no guarantee) to not pamper/baby him to much (yes, yes that's going to be hard cause he's your baby)
You can try to just gently place him into the water. Hold him steady in with one hand and if he struggles just wait a few minutes to try and wash him. Make him aware he is not getting out.
If he stays calm and doesn't struggle then quickly wash him with your other hand (and a washing cloth) while still holding him.
Wash the feet, around the eyes etc. and of course don't forget the tail *wink wink wink*
Make sure the water is on a nice temperature cause we all know how picky our baby's are when it comes to body temperature comfort.
Rinse him well if needed and wrap him in a towel. Then once wrapped reward him with a treat and/or extra snuggles and cuddles and remind him how much you love him.

To say it in a cruel way get over and done with him. (so so sorry if that sounds harsh :sorry::cry: I swear I mean well)
During the bath time I wouldn't interact to much or try to sooth if I where in that situation.
So it kinda comes down on ignoring the fact he dislikes it and not giving his dislike any attention or reward.
Unless of course if you cat screams in an out of controle way you can comfort him in a low calm voice.
Rather praise your boy when he's doing well then accidentally give his negativity praising.
Again I cannot guarantee it will work but it is worth a try.
I've seen it work with those who have trouble bathing there pet (and not only sphynx) and well I had some very nice hand biting ferrets I've tried to bath in the past years and years ago. I know the struggle! :arghh:
Good luck and positive vibes send. (y) Keep us updated. :happy:

 

[Xandria]

Hi there,

It definitely looks like sun induced pigmentation. My boy developed a spot on the back of his head, even despite the UV protection treatment we have on all of our windows. He is dark, and is more susceptible to such pigmentation changes. Tons of great advice above on putting cat trees in indirect sunlight and so forth.

As for bathtime. One thing I have learned being here is that every naked is different, and one routine does not always work for everyone. It's a matter of trying out everyone else's routines and finding which one does work for your naked. Unfortunately I can't rush my own routine otherwise they get very uppity. So I have to go nice and slow LOL.

Lots of great routines that people have and some already mentioned above. Here is my own, which I think is crazy, but it works for me. I hope you find out which one works best for Beerus, who is absolutely adorable by the way.

Max & Min’s Spaw Treatment Routine

 

[kaylachristine]

Aww Beerus!! I've had my little gal the same length of time, and she is 6 months old. She is grey too and also has lots of pigmentation; freckles all over her. She loves sleeping in the sun in the window. From what I have read online, it seems to me like they're harmless, and if that's true I think they're cute!

For me, the our first few baths I ran the water with her out of the room, nice and warm, had a bath mat so she wouldn't slip, and put her favourite toys in the water. She consistently tried to get out the whole time and seemed panicky. I didn't like stressing her out that much. I really like baths personally, and now I make giving Violet a bath something I do before I drain the tub and have a bath myself. Maybe that's strange to some, and it's not something I loudly advertise hahah, but if you're down to do it, I think it works great!! I hold in close while stepping into the tub, and then lower slowly and keep her on top of my legs. I have little exfoliating gloves as well, and I use the Earthbath shampoo. I have a big plastic jug I fill to rinse her off a few times, then hop out! I dry her off and give her a treat. Depending on how lazy I'm feeling, I'll either have a shower or rinse the tub and have a bath! Violet is super calm and seems to enjoy the warm water and getting massaged/scrubbed with the gloves. Totally different reaction from before with her meowing and trying to jump out!

 

[Asa]

A long time update:

Our sweet boy is a little over four now and has grown spottier and spottier! Dark and light spots. We say he’s granite colored now. Our vet says he has very healthy skin, just very sensitive to heat changes. This is most obvious in the winter: his belly basically turns black from the heat of sitting on top of our registers when the heat turns on.

He is a total sun bather and we put UV film up in our windows to attempt to help. Definitely gets less tan now, but still a spotty boy.

Never did decide to enjoy baths, but now he just complains loudly while he lets us do whatever. Silly.

Do other blue sphynx owners have “granite” colored kitties?

 

[Xandria]

We have UV film on our windows (have had since just before our first sphynx in anticipation of this very thing). It helps a lot but both my tuxedos have a few darker and lighter spots on them. Otherwise their skin is healthy!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Our dark girl has the same thing. They definitely are worse in the warmer months with her in the windows sunning often.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk